Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist 

 

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’Very much so, indeed, my dear. They’re only jealous, 

Tom, because he won’t give it to them.’ 

’Ah!’ cried Tom, triumphantly, ‘that’s where it is! He 

has cleaned me out. But I can go and earn some more, 

when I like; can’t I, Fagin?’ 

’To be sure you can, and the sooner you go the better, 

Tom; so make up your loss at once, and don’t lose any 

more time. Dodger! 

Charley! It’s time you were on the lay. Come! It’s near 

ten, and nothing done yet.’ 

In obedience to this hint, the boys, nodding to Nancy, 

took up their hats, and left the room; the Dodger and his 

vivacious friend indulging, as they went, in many 

witticisms at the expense of Mr. Chitling; in whose 

conduct, it is but justice to say, there was nothing very 

conspicuous or peculiar: inasmuch as there are a great 

number of spirited young bloods upon town, who pay a 

much higher price than Mr. Chitling for being seen in 

good society: and a great number of fine gentlemen 

(composing the good society aforesaid) who established 

their reputation upon very much the same footing as flash 

Toby Crackit. 

’Now,’ said Fagin, when they had left the room, ‘I’ll go 

and get you that cash, Nancy. This is only the key of a 

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Oliver Twist 

 

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little cupboard where I keep a few odd things the boys 

get, my dear. I never lock up my money, for I’ve got 

none to lock up, my dear—ha! ha! ha!—none to lock up. 

It’s a poor trade, Nancy, and no thanks; but I’m fond of 

seeing the young people about me; and I bear it all, I bear 

it all. Hush!’ he said, hastily concealing the key in his 

breast; ‘who’s that? Listen!’ 

The girl, who was sitting at the table with her arms 

folded, appeared in no way interested in the arrival: or to 

care whether the person, whoever he was, came or went: 

until the murmur of a man’s voice reached her ears. The 

instant she caught the sound, she tore off her bonnet and 

shawl, with the rapidity of lightning, and thrust them 

under the table. The Jew, turning round immediately 

afterwards, she muttered a complaint of the heat: in a tone 

of languor that contrasted, very remarkably, with the 

extreme haste and violence of this action: which, 

however, had been unobserved by Fagin, who had his 

back towards her at the time. 

’Bah!’ he whispered, as though nettled by the 

interruption; ‘it’s the man I expected before; he’s coming 

downstairs. Not a word about the money while he’s here, 

Nance. He won’t stop long. Not ten minutes, my dear.’ 

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Laying his skinny forefinger upon his lip, the Jew 

carried a candle to the door, as a man’s step was heard 

upon the stairs without. He reached it, at the same 

moment as the visitor, who, coming hastily into the room, 

was close upon the girl before he observed her. 

It was Monks. 

’Only one of my young people,’ said Fagin, observing 

that Monks drew back, on beholding a stranger. ‘Don’t 

move, Nancy.’ 

The girl drew closer to the table, and glancing at 

Monks with an air of careless levity, withdrew her eyes; 

but as he turned towards Fagin, she stole another look; so 

keen and searching, and full of purpose, that if there had 

been any bystander to observe the change, he could hardly 

have believed the two looks to have proceeded from the 

same person. 

’Any news?’ inquired Fagin. 

’Great.’ 

’And—and—good?’ asked Fagin, hesitating as though 

he feared to vex the other man by being too sanguine. 

’Not bad, any way,’ replied Monks with a smile. ‘I 

have been prompt enough this time. Let me have a word 

with you.’ 

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